As the drought drags on, water will be my priority
I AM honoured to have been elected as mayor of Bathurst. After serving on this council for the past 16 years, I believe I have the skills and experience to lead this great city.
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I would like to congratulate Cr Ian North who was elected as deputy mayor. I would also like to thank Cr Graeme Hanger OAM for his dedication and commitment over the last two-and-a-half years.
My priority for our city and region is tackling the water situation. Over the next 12 months I will work on the region's water security and projects such as stormwater harvesting. The drought has impacted our community and council has introduced extreme water restrictions in response to the continuing drought conditions.
Council is being proactive with the early introduction of tighter water restrictions to conserve the supply in Chifley Dam.
The catchment area has not received its usual winter rainfall for the past three winters. It is this winter rainfall that has previously lifted, or recharged, the level of the dam, providing a ready supply through the summer period.
With no winter recharge to Chifley Dam in 2017, 2018 and 2019, council has enacted measured conservation actions to extend the life of the Bathurst water supply.
Council is hosting a series of free waterwise gardening workshops from October to December.
The interactive two-hour workshops will be presented by horticulturist and award-winning gardener Dhyan Blore.
Topics will include caring for plants in dry times, maximising water in gardens and plants, the importance of mulch, features of drought-tolerant plants, water for backyard birds and wildlife and using grey water on gardens.
More information is available at www.bathurst.nsw.gov.au/waterrestrictions
Mayor Bobby Bourke
With summer looming, we need to be bushfire ready
THE Bathurst region was fortunate to receive some rainfall across the area last week and while some more is forecast in the near future, we must remember that a hot and dry summer is on the horizon.
Warm weather with little rainfall will mean the bushfire danger rating is consistently sitting at the higher end of the scale. We can also expect frequent total fire bans.
I want to take this opportunity to encourage all residents, especially those on the land, to start preparing for the bushfire season.
The first step to keep your family and property safe is knowing your bushfire risk, which your local brigade can help you assess.
RFS volunteers are an invaluable source of knowledge and can provide advice on preparing your bushfire plan, preparing your property and planning with neighbours.
Every resident in NSW should:
- Discuss what to do if a bushfire threatens your home.
- Prepare your home and get it ready for bushfire season.
- Know the bushfire alert levels.
- Keep all the bushfire information numbers, websites and Fires Near Me smartphone app handy.
Quad bike safety
UPFRONT costs and out-of-pocket expenses for important quad bike safety equipment and replacement vehicles will soon be reduced or eliminated under a new streamlined process for the Quad Bike Safety Improvement program, announced by the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government.
The ability to improve your safety should not be dependent on whether you can afford it. That's why the government has changed the way the rebate system works, so that our local farmers who are doing it tough have the ability to buy important safety equipment which could ultimately save lives.
This program is the most comprehensive in the country and has delivered more than $2 million in rebates to farmers, who in turn have invested $28 million in improving safety.
Farmers can also access free quad bike training sessions and a $500 rebate for drones as part of the program.
For further information, visit www.safework.nsw.gov.au or call 13 10 50.
Transport help
WE know farmers are doing it tough right now, but we're encouraging those who applied for the transport subsidy last financial year to submit their tax invoices to ensure they receive their full payments.
Claiming the transport subsidy is simple and can even be done online at the Rural Assistance Authority website.
If there are any problems getting the invoices in by the end of the month, I'm urging the region's farmers to contact the RAA immediately so assistance can be provided.
Eligible farm businesses can claim freight expenses up to $40,000 from January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019.
Visit www.droughthub.nsw.gov.au.